By Richard Cowley, Date: 26/2/13
The Vanuatu South Sea Invitational side kicked off their tour with a narrow loss against Central Capras on Saturday night at Browne Park in Rockhampton.
Vanuatu put in a strong first half performance going into the half time break down 12 – 10. Vanuatu South Sea Invitational side started the 2nd half with a quick try to take the lead 12 – 14. From then on it was all one way traffic as the Central Capras ran in three tries leaving the score at 28 – 14 come full time.
The Vanuatu team have a big weekend of rugby league ahead when they play Townsville Brothers on Friday night and then run out again on Sunday to take on the Norths Mackay Devils.
Vanuatu are a new nation to rugby league and played their first international late last year when the national team went down narrowly to Greece 14 – 24 in Port Vila.
This tour will help form part of their ongoing rugby league development and assist with building relationships with South Sea Islander communities in Australia.
It is very possible that Vanuatu will be running out on the footy field when the 2017 RLWC qualifiers start in 2015.
Remaining Vanuatu South Sea Invitational side tour matches
Friday 1st March, 2013 Vanuatu – South Sea Invitational v Townsville Brothers, Brothers Townsville – Kick Off: 6:30pm
Sunday 3rd March, 2013, Vanuatu – South Sea Invitational v Norths Mackay Devils, Northern Suburbs League Club, Mackay – Kick Off: 3pm
